Question

if you had to analyze a text written by someone involved in the ratification debate, how would you be able to distinguish between a text written by an Anti-Federalist and one written by a Federalist?

Answer 1

Answer:

The main difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists at the time of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States was in the powers that the federal government would have compared to those of the states.

Thus, the Federalists defended the idea of a strong and comprehensive federal government, as described in the articles of the Constitution. In turn, the Anti-Federalists feared that this strong government could trample on the rights of citizens and state governments, thus fighting for the adoption of amendments that would guarantee these rights: the Bill of Rights.

Therefore, all writing that promoted a broad federal government and with great prerogatives would be Federalist, while all writing that defended the rights and powers of the states in particular would be Anti-Federalist.